What Are They? Are You at Risk?

By: Ken Shibasaki, Senior Analyst – Riskboss Inc.

You can find countless travel horror stories of how airlines have lost luggage over the years. Since 2021 when the product was introduced, many travelers have taken to using AirTags to find their wayward luggage. There are stories of travelers being able to find their luggage days and even months after initially departing on their trip.

But what if you wanted to track something else?  Maybe you want to put an AirTag into your partner’s wallet to make sure (s)he’s going to the gym and not to the bar with friends. Or maybe your partner has put one in your car without your knowledge?  It can be a very valuable tool but the list of improper use for AirTags is endless.

What is an Air Tag?

How the air tag works is off existing networks. The distance is limitless so long as there is a network or device that can boost the AirTag signal. Batteries have about a one year to eighteen month lifespan but the batteries can be easily replaced. The air tag will update its location by using other devices and Bluetooth networks.

AirTags are individually identified and if found, can be tracked to a point of sale. Legally, AitTags are used to track a great number of things and yes, even children and pets. Some company owners are using AirTags to track shipments and their drivers.

AirTags are very small and have magnetic cases. This makes it easy to attach to vehicle license plates and compact enough to be hidden in someone’s bag or purse. Law Enforcement in Canada and the U.S. have reported instances of both.

Illegal Use

Law enforcement is warning on the illegal use of these devices.

Bad actors have used these devices to perform crimes ranging from car theft to acts of stalking. Law enforcement use similar GPS locating devices to keep track of known criminals. Unlike criminals, law enforcement need a warrant to install and use such devices.

In Canada, illegal use of AirTags is attributed to criminal mischief and stalking laws. AirTags are legal to possess. It is a matter of the intended use that will determine whether it is criminal or non-criminal in nature. Prior consent from the person(s) you are tracking is required for such use to be legal.

Countermeasures – What Tools Are Available?

Because AirTags are a relatively new item, manufacturers are still trying to combat the unintended use of their products. Many suppliers have rolled out software that can detect if an AirTag is near your smartphone. Criminals, however, deactivate the sound in the AirTags so that locating these items using the sound device is impossible.

You can get a package of four Apple AirTags though Amazon for just over one hundred dollars. Though Apple is the largest manufacturer of AirTags they are not the only manufacturer.

There are limitations on the Apple software capability of detecting non-Apple AirTags. There are AirTags that are fully functional with the speaker for the beeping noise countermeasure removed. These have been sold by third parties as “silent” AirTags. There is nothing illegal in removing the speakers.

Protecting Yourself

The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to ensure that your smartphone is configured to detect AirTags near you. Each smartphone has its own method of doing this, but it is based on Bluetooth tracking software. This type of software is constantly updating. Also ensure that you have software that detects AirTags made by different manufacturers from your smartphone.

Unfortunately, there are no universal industry wide standards that allow for a single detection method for AirTags. Though Apple, Google, and other leading manufactures are pushing for such a capability starting in the end of 2023. Yet another example of creating technology without simultaneously creating public protections.  There have been several lawsuits from victims of stalking. Until sufficient protections are regulated, it is likely that more lawsuits will be launched.

Though there is no universal method to removing the battery you can easily find instructions on removing or replacing batteries from each manufacturer.

To learn more about how to get risk assessment or to have one of our senior analysts conduct a free/no obligation 30- minute tour of your site, contact us at: www.riskboss.com/ca